Weekends might have lost their significance during the nationwide lockdown but they are finally back, no thanks to the grueling work from home scheds. Trust me, the only Monday motivation I wanted this week was a hysterical call from my friend to inform me that there will be classes only till Thursday!
So once done with your much-needed sleep and digital detox, you may as well consider lazing on the couch with any of these historical dramas. Obviously, it won’t reduce the guilt of not following the work deadlines but can make you sound more intellectual while giving excuses on Monday!
1. Lincoln (2012)
It wouldn’t be fair on my part to not include a Daniel Day-Lewis classic from the list of historical dramas. A glimpse at the poster is sure to give a Deja-vu to ardent history lovers and that is the amount of dedication Lewis put in the filming of Spielberg’s very own ‘American Dream’.
Based on the American Civil War, Emancipation Proclamation (abolition of slavery) followed by the assassination of Lincoln, this classic is sure to make you feel sad about Lewis’ retirement from the cinema.
WATCH IT FOR: The name has it all- Daniel Day-Lewis!
2. Gandhi (1982)
If there is a list of cinematic portrayals that came as close to re-enacting the history, the movie ‘Gandhi’ has to be in the list alongside Lawrence of Arabia. The casting is near perfect (Roshan Seth as Nehru is a trip down the memory lane!) and Sir Richard Attenborough succeeds in narrating the human side of the ‘father of the nation’.
Irrespective of your political inclinations, do watch this film for some great insights into the freedom struggle.
WATCH IT FOR: the subtle portrayal of Gandhi and Sir Ben Kingsley’s performance
3. Gladiator (2000)
Roman Empire has been a subject of fascination for the storytellers in cinema but no other cinematic experience is as rewarding as watching ‘Gladiator’. Firstly, the title itself shall intrigue you, and to add to it, the movie pits Russell Crowe against Joaquin Phoenix.
The action scenes are as exciting and gripping as they can be and various reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire like inefficient administration, conspiracies, and political unrest are perfectly weaved in the screenplay of 155 minutes.
WATCH IT FOR: the battle scenes of Russell Crowe
4. The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002)
If you have been following the recent political developments in the country, Bhagat Singh is a movie that shall give you deeper insights. The movie, though not as polished as movies of similar genres, is one of the most realistic portrayals of a freedom fighter by mainstream Bollywood.
Following the life of Bhagat Singh, whose contributions to the freedom struggle and impact on masses only became public in recent years, the film has maestros like Ajay Devgn, A.R Rahman, and Rajkumar Santoshi. And of course, how can we forget the track which is the torchbearer of patriotism ‘Mera rang de basanti chola’!
WATCH IT FOR: Ajay Devgn’s performance as Bhagat Singh evolves from a follower to a leader
5. Schindler’s List (1993)
You know a Spielberg classic when you watch one, isn’t it? The film is extremely powerful, impactful, thought-provoking, and emotionally devastating. Based on the capture of Jews by Nazis during World War II and the events surrounding the holocaust, the film narrates the story of Oskar Schindler, a German and a member of the Nazi Party who saved thousands of Jews from the Holocaust.
Liam Neeson’s portrayal of Schindler is nothing less than perfect and the black and white tones of the movie amplify the brutalities of the Nazi rule.
There is a particular scene in the movie where a German official tries to kill a Jew but his gun goes awry. Instead of killing the victim directly, he fires multiple shots with the same malfunctioned gun, relishing the brutal torment of the victim. At that moment, you realize that it is not the Jew that is his victim, but you as a viewer.
WATCH IT FOR: the brutally honest depiction of concentration camps and the rescue of Jews
So, with these movies add a couple of educational cinema to your weekend binge!
HAPPY BINGING!